Public Procurement Course

Lesson 1 • Legal and Regulatory Framework

Introduces the regulatory environment governing public procurement at national and international levels. Students gain awareness of compliance obligations before studying procedures.

Lesson 2 • Roles and Responsibilities in Procurement

Identifies key actors including procurement officers, end users, approvers, and auditors. Clarifies accountability structures essential for compliant procurement practice.

Lesson 3 • Core Principles of Procurement

Covers transparency, competition, fairness, and value for money as foundational principles. These principles govern every decision made throughout the procurement cycle.

Lesson 4 • The Procurement Cycle Overview

Maps the end-to-end procurement process from needs identification to contract closeout. Provides a structural framework referenced throughout the entire course.

Lesson 1 • Identifying and Defining Requirements

Teaches how to translate operational needs into clear, measurable procurement requirements. Accurate requirements prevent scope creep and supplier disputes downstream.

Lesson 2 • Procurement Strategy Selection

Guides selection of the appropriate procurement approach based on value, risk, and market conditions. Strategy choice directly determines which procedures and methods apply.

Lesson 3 • Procurement Plan Development

Synthesises requirements, strategy, and budget into a formal procurement plan document. Students practise drafting plans that satisfy internal governance and audit requirements.

Lesson 4 • Market Research and Analysis

Covers methods for understanding supplier markets before issuing solicitations. Market intelligence informs realistic specifications, budgets, and procurement strategies.

Lesson 1 • Drafting Technical Specifications

Teaches how to write output-based and performance-based specifications that are clear and non-discriminatory. Well-drafted specifications reduce bid clarifications and evaluation disputes.

Lesson 2 • Terms and Conditions in Solicitations

Covers standard contractual terms included in solicitation documents and their legal significance. Students learn to identify clauses that protect public interest and manage risk.

Lesson 3 • Publishing and Managing Solicitations

Addresses advertising obligations, bid period management, and handling supplier queries. Proper solicitation management maintains competition integrity and legal compliance.

Lesson 4 • Evaluation Criteria and Weighting

Explains how to design transparent, objective evaluation criteria before issuing solicitations. Pre-defined criteria ensure fairness and defensibility during supplier selection.

Lesson 1 • Combined Scoring and Ranking

Integrates technical and financial scores using pre-defined weighting to rank suppliers. Students practise applying scoring matrices and documenting results transparently.

Lesson 2 • Evaluation Committee Setup

Covers composition, roles, and conflict-of-interest management within evaluation committees. A properly constituted committee is the first safeguard against biased decisions.

Lesson 3 • Financial Evaluation Techniques

Applies price normalisation, life-cycle costing, and currency adjustment to compare bids fairly. Financial evaluation methods must align with criteria disclosed in the solicitation.

Lesson 4 • Award Decision and Notification

Covers approval workflows, standstill periods, and supplier notification requirements after evaluation. Proper award procedures protect against legal challenges and ensure constitutional transparency.

Lesson 1 • Elements of a Valid Public Contract

Identifies essential legal elements required for an enforceable public procurement contract. Understanding contract formation prevents disputes arising from incomplete or ambiguous agreements.

Lesson 2 • Common Public Contract Types

Compares fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and framework agreements. Contract type selection determines risk allocation between government and supplier.

Lesson 3 • Contract Signing and Mobilisation

Covers signature authority, contract execution formalities, and supplier mobilisation requirements. Proper execution ensures the contract is legally binding and implementation begins correctly.

Lesson 4 • Key Contract Clauses and Provisions

Examines performance standards, payment terms, penalties, and termination clauses in public contracts. Students learn to identify clauses that protect public funds and ensure delivery.

Lesson 1 • Setting Up Contract Administration

Establishes the systems, roles, and records needed to administer a contract from day one. Strong administration infrastructure prevents disputes and supports audit readiness.

Lesson 2 • Payment Processing and Verification

Teaches invoice verification, goods receipt confirmation, and payment authorisation procedures. Accurate payment processing prevents fraud, overpayment, and supplier cash-flow disputes.

Lesson 3 • Handling Disputes and Non-Performance

Provides tools for resolving supplier disputes, issuing cure notices, and applying contract remedies. Students practise escalation pathways that protect government rights while preserving relationships.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring Supplier Performance

Applies key performance indicators, scorecards, and site inspections to track supplier delivery. Regular monitoring enables early detection of performance gaps before they escalate.

Lesson 1 • Preventive Controls and Segregation of Duties

Designs internal controls including segregation of duties, dual authorisation, and audit trails. Preventive controls reduce opportunity for misconduct before it occurs.

Lesson 2 • Red-Flag Detection and Reporting

Equips students to recognise behavioural and documentary red flags indicating potential fraud. Early detection and proper reporting channels are critical to limiting damage.

Lesson 3 • Corruption Risks in Procurement

Maps the most common corruption schemes including bid rigging, kickbacks, and conflict of interest. Understanding risk patterns is the prerequisite for designing effective controls.

Lesson 4 • Investigations and Sanctions

Covers the process for investigating suspected misconduct, debarment procedures, and legal referrals. Students understand their obligations when integrity violations are confirmed.

Lesson 1 • Procurement Performance Measurement

Establishes organisational-level KPIs to evaluate procurement function efficiency and outcomes. Performance measurement drives continuous improvement and demonstrates procurement's strategic value.

Lesson 2 • Innovation Procurement Methods

Introduces pre-commercial procurement, innovation partnerships, and outcome-based contracting. These methods enable government to access novel solutions not yet available on the market.

Lesson 3 • Public-Private Partnerships Overview

Explains PPP structures, value-for-money assessment, and risk transfer mechanisms. Students distinguish PPPs from standard procurement and identify when they are appropriate.

Lesson 4 • Strategic Sourcing in the Public Sector

Applies portfolio analysis and spend segmentation to prioritise procurement effort strategically. Strategic sourcing shifts procurement from transactional to value-generating activity.